TECH4GOOD
I was rummaging over old files one Sunday to see which ones were no longer important and could be disposed of. A sudden pang of nostalgia hit me as I noticed a small, worn leather journal before me. It was filled with handwritten notes. Reviewing the pages, I remembered when handwriting was the only way to take notes. When was I last composed something handwritten, at least a full page?
The age of handwritten communication seemed to be drawing to a close, a casualty of the relentless march of technological progress. Like those old notes, handwritten communications are slowly becoming a distant memory, a quaint artifact of a pre-digital age. People my age and maybe the generation after us are so lucky to have not just learned to write in school but went through early in our lives using handwriting as the means of communication.
The world has clearly moved on. Communication is now instantaneous, effortless, and ephemeral. Emotions are conveyed through emojis, thoughts are shared in fleeting text messages, and relationships are maintained through video calls. There is no time for the slow, deliberate act of handwriting, careful word selection, or thoughtful sentence construction. The rapid ascendancy of digital technologies has undeniably transformed the landscape of communication.
Email, instant messaging, and social media platforms have become the dominant modes of interaction today, offering unparalleled speed, efficiency, and accessibility. The convenience of typing, editing, and instantly sharing information has rendered the laborious act of handwriting seemingly obsolete for many. Digital communication allows for the effortless transmission of messages across vast distances, storing and retrieving vast amounts of data and seamlessly integrating multimedia content. This efficiency has become paramount in our fast-paced, interconnected world, leaving little room for the time-consuming practice of handwriting. Digital technology has created a communication ecosystem where speed, convenience, and efficiency reign supreme, relegating handwriting to the margins of our daily lives.
The emphasis on digital literacy and keyboarding skills in education has decreased the teaching and practical use of handwriting skills. This shift means that younger generations will grow up with limited exposure to handwriting. Studies show, however, that early handwriting development is tightly linked to early reading development.
The art of handwritten communication is not losing its relevance in the digital age, but its role is evolving. While digital communication offers speed and efficiency, handwritten notes hold significant value. Handwritten communication retains a unique power: its ability to cut through the digital clutter. Research suggests that handwriting engages brain areas differently from typing, which can improve memory, cognitive development, and fine motor skills.
A handwritten note stands out as a beacon of personal connection and sincerity in a world saturated with fleeting digital messages. The effort involved in crafting a handwritten message signals genuine care and thoughtfulness, fostering a deeper emotional connection than any impersonal email or text. The plainness of a handwritten note and the physical feel of ink on paper create a lasting impression, starkly contrasting the ephemeral nature of digital communication. In an age where authenticity is increasingly valued, handwritten communication offers a tangible expression of individuality and sincerity, building trust and strengthening relationships in a way that digital interactions often struggle to replicate.
To help restore the relevance of handwritten communication, we must find practical ways to integrate it into our modern lives. Handwriting and digital communication can coexist, serving different purposes. For personal connections, handwritten thank-you notes, “just because” letters, and personalized greeting cards can add a touch of warmth and sincerity to our interactions. In professional settings, follow-up notes after meetings or interviews, notes of appreciation for colleagues, and personalized client communication can make a lasting impression.
We can also explore ways to combine handwritten elements with digital technology, such as digitizing handwritten notes for easy storage and sharing, incorporating handwritten fonts into digital designs, or using smart notebooks that seamlessly blend the analog and digital worlds.
By consciously incorporating handwritten communication into our lives, we can rediscover the power of personal connection and create meaningful moments in a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions. It's a reminder that the human touch remains irreplaceable amid technological advancements, a vital thread connecting us to our past and enriching our present.
(The author is an executive member of the National Innovation Council, lead convener of the Alliance for Technology Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), vice president of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines, and vice president of UP System Information Technology Foundation. Email: t4g.tmb@gmail.com)